The Constitution is Written and Ratified Pages 53-58

Delegates Eleven states sent delegates right away New Hampshire was late sending delegates Rhode Island did not participate - its politics were dominated by people opposed to strengthening the central government 74 delegates appointed, 55 attended 39 signed the final document Well known figures of the Revolution were absent- Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson

Make up of delegates fairly young and well educated ranged in age from 26 to 81 half had attended college half were trained in law most had considerable political experience many had been officers in the Revolution

Organizing the Constitution Quorum - enough to do business - majority - 7 George Washington was chosen as the leader Each state got one vote proposals could be passed by a majority of those present all proceedings were to be kept secret James Madison - Father of Constitution - had the most influence - kept best notes

Virginia Plan Proposed by Edmund Randolph Strong central government 3 separate branches of gov’t-legislative, executive, judicial two house legislature - representation based on pop. or money cont., lower house would be elected and then select the upper house national leg. would have authority to cancel conflicting state laws and make the states comply with national laws objection - favored the large states

New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Paterson favored small states 1 house nat. leg. with representatives selected by the state leg. (Each one vote) a plural executive selected by the national legislature a supreme court appointed for life by the executive officers rejected by large states after only 4 days

Great Compromise Resolved the question of representation Members in lower house would be apportioned among the states by population and elected by the people the upper house, each state would have an equal no. (2) which would be chosen by state legislatures House was given sole power to begin money bills

3/5ths Compromise South wanted to count slaves for representation but not taxation North wanted to count slaves for taxation but not representation Agreed to count 3/5ths of all slaves for both taxation and representation American Indians were not counted at all

Economic compromises Congress was given the exclusive authority to regulate foreign trade and interstate commerce President was given power to negotiate treaties with foreign states Southern interests: 1. The slave trade was not to be prohibited for 20 years 2. Congress could not impose duties on exports 3. Treaties must be approved by 2/3rds of the Senate

Final meeting Through compromise, the delegates had basically agreed on the Constitution Committee on style set about arranging and writing the final draft After 4 months, the text of the Constitution was presented Sept. 12 Sept 17, 1787 the Constitution was signed by most of the states present (39) 3 men chose not to sign

Ratification Nine states had to ratify for it to go into effect To be ratified by special conventions called for that purpose Did not let leg. ratify because they were afraid that they would turn it down since it reduced their powers.

Federalists Those who favored the creation of the new federal system of government Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Gov. Morris and James Madison Argued a bill of rights was not necessary Agreed to include a bill of rights to make other side happy

Antifederalists Opposed a strong federal government Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee Felt the framers had gone too far Wanted a bill of rights added

Ratification Delaware became the first state to ratify Constitution was officially ratified on June 21, 1788 Needed the support of Virginia and New York, the richest states Virginia finally ratified after a passionate debate New York ratified after Federalists papers were published

New Government New York City would be the temporary national capital Elections were set for the first Congress First Congress would meet March 1789 22 senators and 59 representatives George Washington was chosen as first President Bill of Rights was drafted Within a year the final states had ratified and the Union was formed